‍China is now working on an plan for a three-year fight against air pollution, and some objectives have been made, said Li Ganjie, minister of the newly formed Ministry of Ecological Environment, on Monday at the “Ministers’ Corridor” on the sidelines of the annual session of the 13th NPC.

“A basic idea has been formed, though the whole plan is yet to be ready,” said Li.

China will focus on reducing the concentration of PM 2.5, particularly in key regions including the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta and Fenwei Plain in the provinces of Shaanxi and Shanxi. It will continue to resolve overcapacity and eliminate backward production capacity in industries like iron and steel, thermal power and cement, Li reiterated at the press conference on Saturday. 

The country will also optimize the energy structure, forging ahead with the move to turn coal to gas and electricity in rural households, and strive to develop clean energy, including the development of new-energy vehicles.

Campaigns to plant trees and grass are encouraged in a bid to increase the country’s forestry and grass coverage, and actions of open-pit mining to be effectively managed.  

Environmental law enforcement and inspections will be further strengthened, said Li, and technological innovation is highlighted as an important power to curb smog.

The minister also called for a whole-society engagement to win the blue-sky battle.

China has gathered much effective practice and experience in tackling air pollution since 2012, which will help to lay a solid foundation for further work, Li said. He also added the ministry is very confident to conduct better work, fasten its steps to improve the quality of ecological environment and provide more high-quality ecological products, to meet people's growing needs for a beautiful ecological environment